A Pair of Utensils Forming a Tong-like Structure

ABSTRACT

Disposable dishware and utensils with an option to be converted into another use. 
     Set of disposable utensils (forks, spoons, knifes) with an option to be converted into tongs. Every member of the set are equipped with a uniform lock on the tip of the handle. Any two members of the set can be snapped together creating utensil tongs. 
     Set of disposable dishware (plates, bowls, food trays etc.) with an option to be converted into a container. Every member of the set is equipped with a uniform fastener disposed along the rim. Any two members of the set can be faced and attached to each-other creating a closed container. Plurality of fastener extrusions of one set member adapted to be fitted to plurality of fastener intrusions of any set member.

(My provisional application No. 61/817,452, dated Apr. 30, 2013, EFS ID 15649207)

BACKGROUND

Eating habits of the western society generally include the utilization of a plate to serve food and eating utensils in the form of a spoon, fork and knife. Disposable dishware and eating utensils are very popular in today's high paced, disposable society. Along with the traditional American eating utensils fast food options have led to the adoption of Asian utensils as well—chopsticks and tongs. Tongs are very popular for serving salads and similar foods onto plates. The popularity of tongs has increased as a way to avoid any direct contact between the hands and food. Tongs as a serving utensil is substantially more convenient than the traditional fork, spoon or knife. This invention is an inexpensive solution to bring together the traditional forks, spoons and knifes with an optional tong. The solution consists of a set of forks, spoons and knives which are equipped with a uniform interconnecting lock at the tip of the handle on every set's member. Two members of the set form a pincers-like shape by connecting together through a uniform lock. While eating it's easy to assemble the utensils (like fork and knife) and use them as tongs and then easily disassemble them and continue to use them as regular utensils. There are six variations of improvised tongs (fork-fork, fork-spoon, fork-knife, spoon-spoon, spoon-knife and knife-knife).

Disposable dishware has also become a very popular, convenient and inexpensive way to serve food. It is used for picnics, parties, eating out, etc. The most common materials for producing disposable dishware include paper, Styrofoam, nontoxic plastic and metal foil. Various designs and shapes of disposable dishware are available on market today. The fast-food industry also utilizes disposable containers that besides their initial purpose (transporting food) it can be used as dishware. Usually food containers consist of a box and an attached cover. Some prior arts propose a container with a separate cover, but it has not received market demand and has been left behind.

When food is served on a plate and needs a temporary cover from dust, sun, wind, insects, etc. the simple way is to cover the plate with a similar plate. The current invention equips plates with an integrated uniform fastener arranged along the rim so that every plate can be snapped to any counterpart from a similar set. When the two plates are interlocked together they create a seal, but not a leak proof seal. The purpose of the invention is to create a simple, inexpensive option to any plate to act as a detachable cover to another plate from the same set to create a temporary container.

It is a further objective of the invention to provide dishware and utensils which can be manufactured by methods commonly used in the industry, without extensive modification and without incurring excessive manufacturing costs. Unlike all similar prior arts (set forth below list) this invention is not for a container and tongs. It is an option for regular disposable dishware to become a temporary container as well as an option for a disposable fork, spoon or knife to become a part of a temporary tong.

DESCRIPTION

Improved utensil construction in which every member of a set (fork, knife and spoon) include a lock at the end of the handle to enable any two members to be connected together to form tongs. When connected together, the two arms free ends are separated. By applying pressure to the arms the free ends of the arms pushed together to engage the material positioned between the free ends of the tools. As soon as the pressure is released, the ends of the tongs will spring apart to disengage the object held.

Every member of the utensil set has an absolutely identical uniform lock. One of the preferred lock designs consists of two extrusions (FIG. 2 u) with gaps between them that become the receptacles for the same extrusions of another utensil with a similar interlock. With the two uniform locks facing each other applying slight pressure on both utensils will cause the two utensils to snap together.

There are unlimited designs of interlock styles. A few examples are displayed in FIG. 5 u-12 u. The main objective of the lock construction is ease of connection and disconnection of two members of a utensil set. Connected utensils (FIG. 3) can form six types of tongs—knife-knife, fork-fork, spoon-spoon, fork-spoon, fork-knife and spoon-knife.

Some preferred modifications are made to a regular disposable knife to aid in food service when engaged as tongs. One Modification is a curve to the spade as depictured on FIG. 13 u. It has small prongs on the tip of the blade for better food gripping. This shape is also useful when the knife used apart from tongs. The spade-like shape is more efficient when used as a utensil knife, butter spreader or food spade. Prongs on the blade of the knife are useful for food cutting and slicing.

The principal of the universal interlock pertains also to disposable dishware. The dishware's female and male fasteners run along the rim in an alternating order. Every member of the dish set can be matched so all male extrusions of one member fill female intrusions of the other. For an inexpensive, less durable grip, there is rectilinear profile (FIG. 46 a) for male and female parts, made from pliable material (foam, plastic, paper etc.) fit tightly and provide a satisfactory grip for covering purpose. For a more durable or leak proof fastener there are variety of profiles (FIG. 46 b-46 e) which substantially complicates mold production and raises the price of manufacturing process.

The main purpose of the current invention is to furnish a regular disposable dishware with an option to be converted into a container. The price of the final product (with option) should be the same as present (non-optional) analogs on the market. The invention consists of variety of embodiments which satisfies the purpose of the invention—simplicity, inexpensive and unobtrusive conversion option to the final costumer.

One of the preferred fastener embodiments is a pair of female grooves (2) and male extrusions (1) fasteners (FIG. 1-3). When two members of the same set face each-other the upper extruded groove matches the lower intruded groove, and upper intruded groove matches lower extruded one. It creates a zip-like engagement attachment. This embodiment has line-up notches (3) to simplify two members snapping alignment.

Another embodiment is a plurality of button-like fasteners along the rim (FIG. 4-6). Unlike previous embodiments this one gives an ability to align and attach two members in several angles. Quantity of snapping positions are proportional to the quantity of fasteners.

One of the embodiments consists of extruded parts and wholes instead of intruded parts. It allows plates to be stacked more efficiently (FIG. 14). Every extrusion tightly fits into corresponding hole.

Any plate has an additional option to be snapped to itself, based on the order that the fasteners are arranged. (FIG. 17-18).

The variety of plates shapes is unlimited, only one condition has to be observed—every member of the same set has to be mirrored to another when facing to each-other (FIG. 31-38)

Depth of members in a same set can be varied. A bowl can be paired with a plate, etc. One of the embodiments has a smaller set member snapped by its rim edges inside a bigger member with a special extrusions (FIG. 23-24).

For the best locking results male (extrusion) fasteners have to be tightly fit to corresponding female (intrusion) fasteners (FIG. 46 a). This embodiment is the most inexpensive way to create a satisfactory attachment. In more expensive embodiments there are a variety of more durable shapes of attachments. (FIG. 46 b-46 e)

Dishware with a perforated interlocking flap (preferred for paper plates) gives an option to tear the flaps at the perforation so that the flaps may be interlocked with the flaps of a set mate to create a temporary container (FIG. 6-8 & FIG. 25-30).

SUMMARY

Set of utensils (forks, spoons, knifes) equipped with a uniform interlock on the tip of the handle gives an option to convert any two members of a utensil set into temporary tongs.

Set of identical dishware (plates, dishes, bowls, trays etc.) with uniform fasteners located along the rim for a container option. All similar plates in the same set can be snapped onto each other. The fasteners comprise of a complementary series of elements projecting upward and downward on the rim of the plate. The fasteners engage when two plates are facing each other and pressed against each other.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 u—Knife, fork and spoon with the uniform lock.

FIG. 2 u—Preferred deigns of uniform lock.

FIG. 3 u—Variety of tongs combined from knife fork and spoon equipped with uniform lock.

FIG. 4 u—Tongs arms sprung together.

FIG. 5 u—Example of uniform lock's design.

FIG. 6 u—Example of uniform lock's design.

FIG. 7 u—Example of uniform lock's design.

FIG. 8 u—Example of uniform lock's design.

FIG. 9 u—Example of uniform lock's design.

FIG. 10 u—Example of uniform lock's design.

FIG. 11 u—Example of uniform lock's design.

FIG. 12 u—Example of uniform lock's design.

FIG. 13 u—Spade shaped knife with the prongs on a blade of the knife

FIG. 14 u—Tongs combinations with spade shaped knife.

FIG. 1—Plate with optional zip-like grooves.

FIG. 2—Two identical plates with zip-like grooves facing each-other to form an optional container.

FIG. 3—Closed optional container formed from two plates with optional zip-like grooves

FIG. 4—Plate with plurality of round button-like fasteners (extrusions and intrusions).

FIG. 5—Two identical plates with plurality of round button-like fasteners facing each-other to form an optional container.

FIG. 6—Closed container formed from two plates with plurality of round button-like fasteners.

FIG. 7—Plate with a perforation of optional interlocking flaps.

FIG. 8—Two identical plates with a perforation of optional interlocking flaps facing each-other to form an optional container.

FIG. 9—Closed container formed from two plates with optional interlocking flaps.

FIG. 10—Plate with plurality of round button-like fasteners (extrusions and holes).

FIG. 11—Side view of two identical plates with plurality of round button-like fasteners facing each-other to form an optional container.

FIG. 12—Perspective view of two identical plates with plurality of round button-like fasteners facing each-other to form an optional container.

FIG. 13—Side view of two identical plates with plurality of round button-like fasteners stocking each-other.

FIG. 14—Perspective view of two identical plates with plurality of round button-like fasteners stocking each-other.

FIG. 15—Sectional dish with rectangular shaped fasteners (extrusions and intrusions)

FIG. 16—Two sectional dishes facing each-other to make an optional container.

FIG. 17—Sectional dish folded 30 degrees, to create an optional self-folded container.

FIG. 18—Sectional dish folded 45 degrees, to create an optional self-folded container.

FIG. 19—Two sectional plates attached to each-other the way like a regular container with attached cover.

FIG. 20—Dishware set. Bowls, plates and smaller plates.

FIG. 21—Dishware set. Smaller plates snapped.

FIG. 22—Dishware set. Bowl snapped to plate.

FIG. 23—Dishware set. Smaller plate snapped to bowl.

FIG. 24—Dishware set. Smaller plate snapped to bigger plate.

FIG. 25—Second embodiment of paper plate with a perforation of optional interlocking flaps.

FIG. 26—Two plates with a perforation of optional interlocking flaps facing each-other to form an optional container.

FIG. 27—Closed container formed from two plates with optional interlocking flaps.

FIG. 28—Third embodiment of paper plate with a perforation of optional interlocking flaps.

FIG. 29—Two plates with a perforation of optional interlocking flaps facing each-other to form an optional container.

FIG. 30—Closed container formed from two plates with optional interlocking flaps.

FIG. 31—Flower shaped plate with flower shaped fasteners.

FIG. 32—Flower shaped plate facing each-other to create an optional container.

FIG. 33—Star shaped plate with star shaped fasteners.

FIG. 34—Star shaped plate facing each-other to create an optional container.

FIG. 35—Butterfly shaped plate with butterfly shaped fasteners.

FIG. 36—Butterfly shaped plate facing each-other to create an optional container.

FIG. 37—Cross plate with cross shaped fasteners.

FIG. 38—Cross shaped plate facing each-other to create an optional container.

FIG. 39—Food tray with fasteners.

FIG. 40—Two food trays facing each-other to form an optional container.

FIG. 41—Optional container formed from identical food trays half open.

FIG. 42—Optional container formed from identical food trays half open.

FIG. 43—Food tray with fasteners on rims and on middle.

FIG. 44—Food tray with fasteners on rims and on middle bended to form container.

FIG. 45—Two containers with fasteners on rims and on middle facing to each other to create optional container

FIG. 46—Examples of fasteners shapes (a-preferred shape, b,c,d,e—durable shapes)

REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   1—Male (extruded) pat of fastener. -   2—Female (intruded) part of fastener. -   3—Line-up notch. -   4—Array of alternating male and female button fasteners. -   5—Paper dishware rim perforated interlocking flaps. -   6—Flaps interengaged. -   7—Female intrusion bottomless. -   8—Small plate holding latches.

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1. (canceled)
 2. A utensil configured to be converted into a tong-like structure, comprising: an interlock proximate to a tip of a handle of the utensil, wherein the interlock is configured to connect with another interlock of another utensil to create the tong-like structure, the interlock comprises a male locking mechanism and a female locking mechanism identical to a male locking mechanism and a female locking mechanism of the other utensil, the male locking mechanism of the utensil protrudes out from a plane of the handle of the utensil and is transverse to a direction of the handle of the utensil, and the female locking mechanism is adjacent or parallel to the male locking mechanism.
 3. (canceled)
 4. A system configured to form a tong-like structure, comprising: a first connecting member proximate to one end of a first utensil; and a second connecting member proximate to one end of a second utensil, wherein the first connecting member and the second connecting member comprise an identical locking member configured to interlock the first connecting member with the second connecting member to form the tong-like structure, a male connecting member of the first connecting member protrudes out from a plane of a handle of the first utensil and is transverse to a direction of the handle of the first utensil, and a male connecting member of the second connecting member protrudes out from a plane of a handle of the second utensil and is transverse to a direction of the handle of the second utensil.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the male connecting member of the second connecting member is identical to the male connecting member of the first connecting member, and the female connecting member of the second connecting member is identical to the female connecting member of the first connecting member.
 6. The system of claim 4, wherein the male connecting member of the first utensil is configured to connect with the female connecting member of the second utensil.
 7. The system of claim 4, wherein the female connecting member of the first utensil is configured to connect with the male connecting member of the second utensil.
 8. The system of claim 4, wherein the male connecting member of the first utensil is configured to slide into, or snap together with, the female connecting member of the second utensil to form the tong-like structure.
 9. The system of claim 4, wherein the male connecting member of the second utensil is configured to slide into, or snap together with, the female connecting member of the first utensil to form the tong-like structure
 10. The utensil of claim 2, wherein the interlock of the utensil is configured to slide into, or snap together with, the interlock of the other utensil to create the tong-like structure. 